web02.fireside.fm Tue, 14 Apr 2026 19:27:31 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Play Saves the World - Episodes Tagged with “Board Games” https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/tags/board%20games Sun, 22 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400 Daniel and Kevin explore the meaning of play for human flourishing – what it is, what it means, and how people create and maintain playful lives. We explore books, people, places, and ideas committed to engendering play in the midst of busy, working lives. en-us episodic On games and spirituality Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Daniel and Kevin explore the meaning of play for human flourishing – what it is, what it means, and how people create and maintain playful lives. We explore books, people, places, and ideas committed to engendering play in the midst of busy, working lives. no play, gaming, game theory, work, human flourishing, the meaning of play Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor thomaskevintaylor@icloud.com Episode 41: Board Game Rulebooks, with Jordan Ault https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/41 4180e945-1c84-4051-bc82-f230e1ad0b23 Sun, 22 Oct 2023 15:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 41 Board Game Rulebooks, with Jordan Ault full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor BGF contest winner Jordan Ault joins us for this special episode to discuss game rulebooks and rules in general, and how rules in games and religion can enlighten one another. Jordan brings his lawyerly acumen to the conversation. Plus … the return of the skit?? 1:10:37 no What your Rulebooks Say About You INTRODUCTIONS RULEBOOKS ARE … COOL? - Roundtable vote: - intense pre-read - Read as you attempt to play - Watch YouTube - Have someone teach you - Dial 1-800-Rules-Lawyer - do you enjoy Rulebooks as a genre? - Any special Rulebooks of note? - KEVIN: Mage Knight is particularly loathed, even though it’s all in there - KEVIN: Frostpunk is a rulesbook work of art - DANIEL: Twilight Imperium 4 (steal from Kevin!), Gloomhaven - Jaws of the Lion - Do you have “house rules” to certain games or alter the rules based on who is playing? Why? Do you feel this takes away from the work of the designer? - DANIEL: Telestrations TEACHING A GAME * How do you prefer to teach a game? * Share everything up front? * Unravel the rules as you play? * Do you find parallels between how you teach or learn games and how you teach and learn in your ministry? * DANIEL: Pastor Jewell has the great analogy about how rules in service to the game, and not the other way around. She uses baseball as an analogy. * Are there any rules that just don’t click for you? Any games you’ve given up on because of the rules? Why? * DANIEL: Games where rules change every round. * When you’re hosting a game night at your faith community, are there rules you’re willing to bend, or rules that you choose to avoid? * What is your favorite game or type of rules to teach? * DANIEL: Worker placement Scenario: you’re 90 minutes into a complex solo game with clear win conditions. You choose to push your luck and draw a card. You accidentally pick up two. The first card absolutely kills your chance of success; the second is much friendlier. Do you discard the first and go with the friendlier card? Does that make you a horrible person? Asking for a friend. CALL TO ACTION: - Subscribe to our newsletter (https://buttondown.email/BoardGameFaith) - Support us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/boardgamefaith/) - interact with us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith/) - Discord us Discord (https://discord.gg/MRqDXEJZ) Chat with us on Wavelength (iOS and MacOS and iPadOS only) (https://wavelength.app/invite/AGSmNhIYS5B#ABhy7aXOO04TO6HTS4lelw--) game theory, board games, rulebooks, Mage Knight, Frostpunk The Board Game What your Rulebooks Say About You

INTRODUCTIONS

RULEBOOKS ARE … COOL?

  • Roundtable vote:
    • intense pre-read
    • Read as you attempt to play
    • Watch YouTube
    • Have someone teach you
    • Dial 1-800-Rules-Lawyer
  • do you enjoy Rulebooks as a genre?
  • Any special Rulebooks of note?
    • KEVIN: Mage Knight is particularly loathed, even though it’s all in there
    • KEVIN: Frostpunk is a rulesbook work of art
    • DANIEL: Twilight Imperium 4 (steal from Kevin!), Gloomhaven - Jaws of the Lion
  • Do you have “house rules” to certain games or alter the rules based on who is playing? Why? Do you feel this takes away from the work of the designer?
    • DANIEL: Telestrations

TEACHING A GAME

  • How do you prefer to teach a game?
    • Share everything up front?
    • Unravel the rules as you play?
  • Do you find parallels between how you teach or learn games and how you teach and learn in your ministry?
    • DANIEL: Pastor Jewell has the great analogy about how rules in service to the game, and not the other way around. She uses baseball as an analogy.
  • Are there any rules that just don’t click for you? Any games you’ve given up on because of the rules? Why?
    • DANIEL: Games where rules change every round.
  • When you’re hosting a game night at your faith community, are there rules you’re willing to bend, or rules that you choose to avoid?
  • What is your favorite game or type of rules to teach?
    • DANIEL: Worker placement

Scenario: you’re 90 minutes into a complex solo game with clear win conditions. You choose to push your luck and draw a card. You accidentally pick up two. The first card absolutely kills your chance of success; the second is much friendlier. Do you discard the first and go with the friendlier card? Does that make you a horrible person? Asking for a friend.

CALL TO ACTION:

Chat with us on Wavelength (iOS and MacOS and iPadOS only)

]]> What your Rulebooks Say About You

INTRODUCTIONS

RULEBOOKS ARE … COOL?

  • Roundtable vote:
    • intense pre-read
    • Read as you attempt to play
    • Watch YouTube
    • Have someone teach you
    • Dial 1-800-Rules-Lawyer
  • do you enjoy Rulebooks as a genre?
  • Any special Rulebooks of note?
    • KEVIN: Mage Knight is particularly loathed, even though it’s all in there
    • KEVIN: Frostpunk is a rulesbook work of art
    • DANIEL: Twilight Imperium 4 (steal from Kevin!), Gloomhaven - Jaws of the Lion
  • Do you have “house rules” to certain games or alter the rules based on who is playing? Why? Do you feel this takes away from the work of the designer?
    • DANIEL: Telestrations

TEACHING A GAME

  • How do you prefer to teach a game?
    • Share everything up front?
    • Unravel the rules as you play?
  • Do you find parallels between how you teach or learn games and how you teach and learn in your ministry?
    • DANIEL: Pastor Jewell has the great analogy about how rules in service to the game, and not the other way around. She uses baseball as an analogy.
  • Are there any rules that just don’t click for you? Any games you’ve given up on because of the rules? Why?
    • DANIEL: Games where rules change every round.
  • When you’re hosting a game night at your faith community, are there rules you’re willing to bend, or rules that you choose to avoid?
  • What is your favorite game or type of rules to teach?
    • DANIEL: Worker placement

Scenario: you’re 90 minutes into a complex solo game with clear win conditions. You choose to push your luck and draw a card. You accidentally pick up two. The first card absolutely kills your chance of success; the second is much friendlier. Do you discard the first and go with the friendlier card? Does that make you a horrible person? Asking for a friend.

CALL TO ACTION:

Chat with us on Wavelength (iOS and MacOS and iPadOS only)

]]> Episode 6: Board Games that Teach https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/6 a895303f-037b-4054-bb1b-603c05e8ee14 Sun, 29 May 2022 15:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 6 Board Games that Teach full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor What can, and should, board teach us? We explore didactic board games that have a message, and what sort of indirect messages board games can also give us. 1:04:24 no What can, and should, board teach us? We explore didactic board games that have a message, and what sort of indirect messages board games can also give us. We discuss Caverna, Bibleopoly, the forgotten didactic orgins of Monopoly, magic circles, and the controversial game Train. Join us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/boardgamefaith) and Patreon (https://patreon.com/boardgamefaith). board games, education, teaching, morality What can, and should, board teach us? We explore didactic board games that have a message, and what sort of indirect messages board games can also give us. We discuss Caverna, Bibleopoly, the forgotten didactic orgins of Monopoly, magic circles, and the controversial game Train.

Join us on Instagram and Patreon.

Links:

]]> What can, and should, board teach us? We explore didactic board games that have a message, and what sort of indirect messages board games can also give us. We discuss Caverna, Bibleopoly, the forgotten didactic orgins of Monopoly, magic circles, and the controversial game Train.

Join us on Instagram and Patreon.

Links:

]]> Episode 5: Board Games and Islam https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/5 f4ca90cb-41f2-4573-ae9b-597eb6a6b0dd Sun, 15 May 2022 14:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 5 Board Games and Islam full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Our very first guest! Ali Karar (@karar2k) joins us to discuss hobby board gaming as a Muslim in Saudi Arabia. We discuss board games as a catalyst for socializing, religious limits to board games, and the role of board games in families. Come learn with us. 1:01:59 no Our very first guest! Ali Karar (@karar2k) joins us to discuss hobby board gaming as a Muslim in Saudi Arabia. We discuss board games as a catalyst for socializing, religious limits to board games, and the role of board games in families. Ali discusses his transition from video games to board gaming, board gaming cafes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Islam's traditional prohibition aginst dice because of its association with gambling. We cap it all off by listing our most beloved games and praising Clap On technology. Islam, board games, religion Our very first guest! Ali Karar (@karar2k) joins us to discuss hobby board gaming as a Muslim in Saudi Arabia. We discuss board games as a catalyst for socializing, religious limits to board games, and the role of board games in families. Ali discusses his transition from video games to board gaming, board gaming cafes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Islam's traditional prohibition aginst dice because of its association with gambling. We cap it all off by listing our most beloved games and praising Clap On technology.

Links:

]]> Our very first guest! Ali Karar (@karar2k) joins us to discuss hobby board gaming as a Muslim in Saudi Arabia. We discuss board games as a catalyst for socializing, religious limits to board games, and the role of board games in families. Ali discusses his transition from video games to board gaming, board gaming cafes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Islam's traditional prohibition aginst dice because of its association with gambling. We cap it all off by listing our most beloved games and praising Clap On technology.

Links:

]]> Episode 3: Is Play Essential to the Human Experience? https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/3 7c8ca85e-6431-4b22-8449-9792c8b631cb Sun, 17 Apr 2022 09:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 3 Is Play Essential to the Human Experience? full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace. 55:00 no After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? How can we games be more inclusive? How does play shape our early childhood in important ways, and can this include Minecraft? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace, and that play according to rules might be an analogy of grace and law. Pop culture jokes include the clap-on lamp from the 80s, and dad jokes include a can of diced tomatoes that secretly contains bookoo dice. Next episode: the book The Grasshopper by Bernard Suits. And a happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan! board games, religion, spirituality, value of play, convention After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? How can we games be more inclusive? How does play shape our early childhood in important ways, and can this include Minecraft? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace, and that play according to rules might be an analogy of grace and law. Pop culture jokes include the clap-on lamp from the 80s, and dad jokes include a can of diced tomatoes that secretly contains bookoo dice. Next episode: the book The Grasshopper by Bernard Suits. And a happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan!

Links:

]]> After naming some recently revisited games, Daniel discusses some lessons learned at a recent conference on play. Is play essential to the human experience? How can we games be more inclusive? How does play shape our early childhood in important ways, and can this include Minecraft? The discussion moves into play as a means of grace, and that play according to rules might be an analogy of grace and law. Pop culture jokes include the clap-on lamp from the 80s, and dad jokes include a can of diced tomatoes that secretly contains bookoo dice. Next episode: the book The Grasshopper by Bernard Suits. And a happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan!

Links:

]]> Episode 2: Six reasons board games are spiritual https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/2 9afc21ff-34dc-4138-82a5-144cd683b98c Sun, 03 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 2 Six reasons board games are spiritual full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Daniel & Kevin have … a list show! What are our top 3 ways that board games can be spiritual and authentically human? The lists are different, but not completely, and then there's a bonus round. 58:13 no Daniel & Kevin have … a list show! We trade our top 3 ways that board games can be spiritual and authentically human. Our lists are different, but not completely, and then there's a bonus round for a bit of hilarity. Let's hear it for new board game burps. (Also, the game Kevin cannot think of during the podcast is This War of Mine.) Many thanks to Eljiah Hilty for our theme music. board games, spirituality, religion, community Daniel & Kevin have … a list show! We trade our top 3 ways that board games can be spiritual and authentically human. Our lists are different, but not completely, and then there's a bonus round for a bit of hilarity. Let's hear it for new board game burps. (Also, the game Kevin cannot think of during the podcast is This War of Mine.) Many thanks to Eljiah Hilty for our theme music.

]]> Daniel & Kevin have … a list show! We trade our top 3 ways that board games can be spiritual and authentically human. Our lists are different, but not completely, and then there's a bonus round for a bit of hilarity. Let's hear it for new board game burps. (Also, the game Kevin cannot think of during the podcast is This War of Mine.) Many thanks to Eljiah Hilty for our theme music.

]]> Episode 1: Initial Thoughts https://boardgamefaith.fireside.fm/1 bcb3db94-faaf-4d84-ad31-4805d717c2f3 Thu, 10 Mar 2022 20:00:00 -0500 Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor 1 Initial Thoughts full Daniel Hilty & Kevin Taylor Daniel recommends books on board games and human identity, does his Bene Gesserit voice, and points to the role of divination in the Bible. Kevin makes fun of John Wesley, professes his love for legacy games. They conspire to make lots of money off of Biblical board games that are just drawing lots and casting dice. 46:10 no To what extent does entering the magic circle of a game, where humans play games and temporarily care about bits and bobs, define our humanity? How do games impact people of religious faith? board games, play, narrative, board game theory To what extent does entering the magic circle of a game, where humans play games and temporarily care about bits and bobs, define our humanity? How do games impact people of religious faith?

]]> To what extent does entering the magic circle of a game, where humans play games and temporarily care about bits and bobs, define our humanity? How do games impact people of religious faith?

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